"The Ministry of Intercession" - Day 3

The Moravian Daily Text fits with Murray's teaching on intercession today. "Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another." Zechariah 7:9. Murray's reflection today is on Ephesians 6.18 which speaks of "supplication for all saints." Murray writes that prayer should be made, "for all the saints. This large, unselfish love is the proof that Christ's Spirit and love is teaching them to pray" (177). Of course praying for our own needs, our own family, and our own congregation is not wrong. But what about the "one another"? What about "for all the saints"? 

Who are you asking us to pray for beyond ourselves, Lord?

Lately, God has been leading me to pray for our Jewish friends. We are blessed to be neighbors with Temple Beth El. They are doing a renovation right now, and are in need of good neighbors to open their home for various groups they have meeting during the week. God has given me a repentant heart on behalf of the Lutheran movement which I represent. Martin Luther, whom I love, said some things I hate. Especially about Jews. He can not apologize for those statements (even used by Hitler for evil and murderous means). He can not repent. I have talked to the leaders, and even some of the members about his statements. I am wondering if God is leading us to some kind of public repentance and renunciation of those statements. Our own book of Romans talks of God's continued affection for His people. "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (11.29). 

Another call to prayer beyond ourselves includes other congregations in San Pedro. The guys prayed for other churches this morning at 6am. My family spent Memorial Day with Bob Andrade from Powerhouse Foursquare Church (former Hope Chapel San Pedro). What a treasure we have in Bob and his family, and Brad his assistant. What a treasured partnership we have with Hope Chapel, now Powerhouse. He told me he would commit to pray for Trinity and her leaders by name in their public worship service for the whole month of June. I told him that we would do the same. For all the saints.

Murray points out that the "how" of this prayer is prayer motivated by love. 

Lord, we love your whole holy church, through time and place. We love all your saints. We love the ones we agree with and those with whom we have differences. For those we have trouble loving, would you give us your Spirit who has unrestrained love for all the saints. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.